LGH Racing

Tao Te Ching

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:53:05 -0400

“Embrace simplicity.
Put others first.
Desire little.”

If only…

Racing Goals

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:39:26 -0400

Hopefully some things will fall into place, but so far, here are my plans for this year. I will spend the next two months getting stuff finalised, so my racing season will start in…

July 8th - GCKI kart racing in Katy (I will run either KT100 or an 80cc shifter, depending on what kinda budget is available)

July 29th - GCKI kart racing

August 19th - GCKI kart racing

September 16 - GCKI kart racing

September 30 - GCKI kart racing

October 14 - GCKI kart racing

October 28 - GCKI kart racing

November 11 - GCKI kart racing

Massive Loss

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:53:11 -0500

My very first kart race, I was sponsored by Giovanni Cammarano, the owner of Kingdom Technologies. His entire family would ask me how my racing went, and his generosity was incredible. However, with sadness I must ask for comforting thoughts and prayers as they have lost their middle son, Biagio in a motorcycle crash. He was a rare guy, knew he was in a wealthy family, yet was very appreciative and would spend moments talking to anybody. Such an awesome kid will be missed, and my heart is breaking yet again in this terrible span of 31 days. Another great light has stopped shining, and all we have left are memories. I am thankful they are all good memories. Godspeed Biagio.

Don't Blame Him: Franchitti

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:46:00 -0400

Often seen this year complaining about either another driver, a procedure, or an official call, Dario sure has become quite the villain. It has been hard to cheer on the guy that I first saw debut in 1997 for Hogan Racing in CART. And that he is on pace - unless Power beats him - to claim his fourth career Indy Car title (in five years) is hard to enjoy when the super Scot on Super Target’s super squad is a super bitch. His whines aside, he has been good at something: owning the series. He has been nothing short of dominant since his days at Team Kool Green. He has never slowed down, even if creeping up on forty, over the hill in racing speak. He continues to school young drivers, continues to give his endless effort at every race, has become quite a friendly character to the mics shoved in his face each weekend, when he’s not griping. There are a lot of things to like and hate about this guy. But either way, don’t blame him. He’s just being Dario, and Dario is good at one thing, winning in Indy Cars. He’s done it since 1998 and could continue as long as he has a ride. It is hard, but try not to lose sight of one simple fact that he is closing in on. We are in the midst of seeing something that only one driver has come within a sniff of accomplishing since Mario won his fourth Indy Car title in 1984. Sebastien Bourdais dominated Champ Cars from 2004-2007, so the fact that fields in today’s Indy Car Series are much deeper with talent makes it that much more impressive. This is historic stuff we are witnessing, and it is hard to appreciate when the driver is often viewed as a titty baby who needs to chill out. But don’t blame Dario, because he is just doing what he can to go as fast as he can with all the pressure that would be on someone in this type of situation. So, whether you like or hate him, enjoy this small piece of history, because who knows when we will see anything like it again?

Don't Blame Him: Vettel

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 -0400

Okay, so Sebastian Vettel is stinking up the “premier motorsport championship” this year. And yeah, at only 24 and on pace for his second consecutive title, he is on pace to break Schumi’s career records. But don’t blame Vunderkind, he is just doing what he has always done, go flat out. And yeah, it stinks. But it’s not his fault. Afterall, he is the only driver to win for Toro Rosso, the same team that American Scott Speed fizzled with. The track where he did it was even more impressive. Monza, the Mecca of F1 speed, where we all find out which grand prix car is the fastest and which driver has the most lead in his foot. It’s not Seb’s fault that he went faster than anyone else, and has done since. He should know better. But wait… Isn’t that the point of motor sport, to go the fastest? And that is all he has done ever since. This year he has amassed a 92 point lead over his teammate (and my current favorite driver) Mark Webber. Next is Alonso, mired in third, 102 points back. Unless Seb begins a string of DNF’s while either Webber or Alonso start a simultaneous string of wins, the season will be over by the second race of September in Singapore. By the way… the very next race, is Monza… you know, sight of Vettel’s first win, in the wet, at high speeds, in possibly the sixteenth best car on the grid. So now that he is in the best car, heading to Monza, don’t expect him to stop winning any time soon. And don’t blame him for being fast, dominant and confident. He’s just doing his job, and darn good at it. And don’t let him stinking up the show cause you to lose sight of the fact that we may be witnessing something very special. Something not every generation gets to see. This has potential for historical stuff. Something like Lotus did between the early 60’s and late 70’s, or McLaren in the 80’s and early 90’s. And don’t forget the past decade, where Ferrari had 6 driver’s titles in 8 years. That beverage company is in the beginnings of something that could be special, and it starts with Seb messing up the show.

Of course Randy Bernard says he supports Brian Brainfart! He has to say that, otherwise it would...

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:48:00 -0400

Of course Randy Bernard says he supports Brian Brainfart! He has to say that, otherwise it would leaves his series, and race control, exposed to more keyboard armed snipers. But whatever this series has as the race control, is NOT working when every week you hear drivers flat out saying they do not respect or even listen to the guy. I mean, Brian, dude, you’re screwed. You cannot throw anyone else under the bus, because you are all that is left. I believe Randy will make a move at season’s end. This has to be true, otherwise ratings will continue to drop. So nobody worry about his press conference when he said he supports Brian Brainfart. We have heard this before in other sports, like when Nick Saban said he would NOT leave the Miami Dolphins to coach Alabama. Or, most recently, Bud Adams saying he will keep coach Jeff Fisher and quarterback Vince Young on the Titans payroll… And how did those work out? Exactly! So take heart, US open wheel racing fans, something positive will happen… It has to.

Untitled

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:42:57 -0400

After dealing with the stresses I have, I finally asked myself what I really enjoy. Sex? A little. Drinking? A bit. Smoking? Kinda… What, then?

Quite simple: I was born to drive race cars. It does not matter what else I do aside from that, but any day I spend NOT racing or working towards it, is another day in which I deprive myself of myself. Another day that I pick my own pocket. Another day I stab myself in the back… That time is over. It is time for me to take my future by the nape of it’s neck and “convince” it back onto the right path… A path toward racing history… Where I’ll either become a champion or die trying. Either way, I’ll be written of…

NASCAR Whelen Mods at Bristol

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:32:00 -0400

Awesome power, awesome grip, fantastic racing! Open wheel? In NASCAR? At Bristol? You got it! And what a series! My favorite drivers are Mike Stefanik and Ted Christopher (not racing in Tennessee’s Thunder Valley) but Ryan Newman may win again, and get penalised again, lol. If you get a chance, look them up, or visit your nearby NASCAR home track, you might get to see them. In Houston they race at Houston Motorsport Park! Check it out!

What a Shrub

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:57:41 -0400

Kyle Busch is an idiot, and should be treated as such.

Not only was he going way too fast on the streets, for which I am glad he got away with only a ticket. But he broke the FIRST rule among real racers: keep it at the track!

You know what, it’s my fault. I should not have expected maturity from an idiot. I should have expected him to act exactly the way he did. I should not have placed lofty expectations on someone children might actually look up to. I should have expected him to play to his crowd, kids.

He showed he is not deserving of a title. He proved that his IQ is indicated by the number on his race car, and he proved that which all other race fans suspect: NASCAR drivers are idiots.

I should stop using that word so much, so I will replace it with a word I feel is more accurate.

Kyle Busch, is a twat. And he will be that, regardless of how many wins he has. Until he grows up and acts like someone children SHOULD admire, he will be someone that families should avoid on city streets, and that is sad. But not as sad as what could have happened had he smacked into a minivan at 128 miles per hour… Kyle Busch, you stupid twat…

That is all.

Dear Aspiring Racer

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:50:46 -0400

What is your goal?

It is a difficult question because, invariably, the initial thought is likely of what your dad wants you to race. If you have that goal because you love it, I mean really, REALLY love it, then more power to you and this letter is not for you.

But for the racer who sees all the stock cars, and touring cars, and sports cars and open wheels cars… What are you thinking? If you’re like me, you say, I’d like a little of all! But the truth is, you can’t be successful at all, unless you’ve tried the first one.

It’s like girlfriends… Bear with me here.

Do you think you are like the men who marry their first girlfriend? If so, you might enjoy one series for your career.

Do you date a bit, and then marry? Then you’ll probably have some luck but not a lot due to being spread too thin.

You know what, forget what I was just saying. Do not ever mix girls and racing! Instead… Pick your racing path, and the girl will follow, if she lies you enough.

My advice, start with whatever gets your heart fluttering. For me, miatas. You get to know it, know how to drive it, and know how to enjoy it! And that, my friend, is the key! The joy! If you lose it, you will hate racing, I promise! This is what I went through a couple years ago and has plagued me since. It is a coma I am desperately trying to slip out of. I started racing karts in 2005, won a couple races, and learned a lot. But I had fun! The next year, I won a few more, even one in the rain! Late that year, I met a girl, and it took me three years to realise that she, and racing would not mix. Now, I have neither of the two. And I miss both. But I has decided to put all of my efforts toward getting seat time, laps, and races under my belt, which started with an ARDS test I passed at Teeside Autodrome in England last fall. Now, I look to what I can do on either side of the pond. My destination will likely be sports cars, with an occasional stock car one-off. But whatever I race, I will vow to have the flutters in my heart, and enjoy every lap of every track. You’ll be able to see my smile through the helmet!

So with that little piece of life story and advice, the choice is up to you! Find what you want to drive, that car that gets you grinning, and go as fast as you can! Go as hard as you can! And above all, go as happy as you can!

PS - If you’d like any racing career advice, I can certainly help you out if you hit me up on Facebook at Hesketh Racing.

New Indy Racer Gets Tested

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:08:31 -0400

Starting in 2012, for the first time, the Indy Car series will have a fully functioning race car for ovals, road and street circuits. I must say, it looks like an actual American born open wheel championship car, which says a lot since it will be built by Italian race car manufacturer Dallara.

This week, it has finally seen life on track, at the hands of Dan Wheldon. You may not remember him, but I’ll freshen your memory. The Englishman won the Indy 500, his second, which was overshadowed by the guy who crashed the National Guard car in the final turn. Yeah, that was, and still is, his only race of the year, but if you ask me, he still landed an awesome job. And the huge wad of milk money sure helps, I’m sure.

If all of that seems like a lot of info… Buckle up, and strap on some attention. I have not even told you what is under the bonnet.

Switching from the loud, and almost stock car-ish V8 from sole provider Honda, the car will utilize a 2.2 liter V6 from Honda, Lotus, and… unfortunately, Chevrolet. Either way, they will go from sounding like a buzz saw to the distinctive and “Indy appropriate” whine the pre-split Brickyard fans are used to. In addition, the car will feature separate body work specifically for road courses and ovals, making the cars more responsive and handle less like, what is the word I am looking for, a canoe. This week was the first of three road course and three oval tests in which Wheldon will lend his knowledge toward developing. Good job, everyone!

Just in case you have not seen it yet, fear not. You can look it up on Autosport, or IndyCar’s website!

Okay Brad, we get it. You blame Road Atlanta’s safety measures for tearing up your car. You...

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:43:45 -0400

Okay Brad, we get it. You blame Road Atlanta’s safety measures for tearing up your car. You criticize it’s lack of SAFER barriers and say that is why it is not a track NASCAR races at. To that, I say: thank GOD! I have a hard time watching your silly tin tops rumble around on the hollowed ground in upstate New York, but for NASCAR to invade sports car territory, even if to test, just sticks in my craw. So, if you do not want to test your rumbler there, then get the hell out! Yours is not the worst crash at Road Atlanta, it is not the first big wreck, and it will certainly not be the last. Talk to Bill Auberlen or Yannick Dalmas about scary wrecks at Road Atlanta and they will tell you to switch from pampers to big boy pants. Now, I do agree that head on into a wall at any speed must be scary, but do not criticize a track that you have no business being at anyway. If you would like, visit other racing circuits in the eastern time zone. Or just pipe down, strap in, and make sure you are on good terms with your gods, your affairs, and the guy who works on your brakes. Either way, count yourself lucky before throwing one of the country’s finest racing circuits under the proverbial bus. Besides, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Honda and Mazda fit in there, not rumbling, bumbling, carbureted tin tops. In other words, know your place boy, and it ain’t at Road Atlanta!

With the construction of the grand prix circuit going on in southeast Austin, I have a thought that...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:01:54 -0400

With the construction of the grand prix circuit going on in southeast Austin, I have a thought that Texas needs to grow a viable racing community here.

I mean it. We need to use the many tracks within hours of each other and create some hard fought, low cost, driving development friendly championships.

Like… Now!

I say that purely as a fan of British motor sport, having visited the great Donington Park last fall to see some fantastic racing! One week saw Formula Ford, British Touring Cars, Porsche Carrera Cup, and Ginettas and the next week featured MINIs, open top Radicals, more Formula cars, and Lorries! All of this on the track that Ayrton used to exert his dominance over all humans and earthly conditions. I cringe at the fact that Foyt is the latest great from the Lone Star State.

It just is not right. And here is why.

Every spring, approximately four million miatas are raced by men who will probably never see an Indy or Formula 1 paddock, let alone car, from the inside. That sucks because they could probably drive better than the jackasses who paraded around Toronto last month! And for less money too! How can we expect racers to prove anything when there is nobody watching? No prestige, no television, no network coverage, and nobody knows, whereas in England (and maybe Europe) you can get the updates from every race that happened THAT Sunday night! It is no wonder to me why people scoff that this country does not deserve any world championship caliber events. Why is it that way? Does America give a damn about anything but million dollar athletes who fail to enunciate?

Perhaps it is the economy? Maybe, but I doubt it because apathy toward local racing, and the racing itself, has gone on long before president 40 was in office. And race cars are STILL being turned on. Televisions too.

Maybe the car culture just is not that interested? I doubt that, because even though SUVs and trucks dominate the landscape, Texas imports higher numbers of sports cars than most of the remaining 49 states. And you visit an scca or NASA race, and try to tell me nobody cares.

So what is it? The package. Nobody has presented an investor and media outlet with an opportunity to create this. A televised championship consisting of races held solely in state, shown live or tape delayed on a Texas television station, could provide an investor with a ton of eyeballs and the network with a great new audience full of gear-heads, grease monkeys, and speed freaks! Best of all, it could help to raise general interest in the Texas racing scene, finally making Texas a viable atmosphere of Motorsport.

A republic of Motorsport?

Or…

The Texas Republic of Pure Motorsport, or Texas RPM.

Okay maybe not, but you get my point. That said, everyone who has read this, venture out to the next SCCA, or NASA racing event and have a look at what true racers are like and what they drive. Chances are, they may be just like you!

Bring Back Real Racers

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:48:06 -0400

Dear gods of speed.

Is this what racing has turned drivers into? Are we supposed to believe that these spoiled, haptephobic brats are the best racers we have? We obviously know they are not the toughest sumbitches around, otherwise there would be less bitching via microphone and more battling via motorsport. I cannot take much stock in the words of men who are restricted by contracts to running their own series and failing to test other waters. I grew up in Houston, and I know there had to be better beaches than Galveston. Racers need to sample other types of paradise! Otherwise, Jimmie, Seb and the gang will be relegated to the same category of greatness as every one trick pony.

What must drivers do to prove me wrong and stake their claim of greatness? Simple: drive other stuff! Jimmy Clark, and Graham Hill. These men raced in the Indy 500 during their grand prix seasons, with Jimmy winning in 1965 and Graham, who won LeMans years later, swigging milk the following year. John Surtees won a world title on two and four wheels, and competed at LeMans. Even AJ Foyt took time away from his Indy, Sprint and stock car races stateside to win at LeMans. And above all, the greatest, Mario Andretti won every major race known to man, often doing the racing man’s version of multitasking. Even more impressive is how long he kept at it, driving Indy Cars into his fifties! This short history lesson makes me ask every “great” of this age a simple question… what happened, did your balls drop off?

The irony is that there are a few guys who will drive a different car in one season, if you include the entire calendar year. For example, every January at Daytona you will see some Indy Car and NASCAR drivers going up against, and often getting spanked by, sports car racing’s finest. But the key is, they are doing it. And this June, Cup regular Michael Waltrip tried out LeMans in a Ferrari, and although his most newsworthy achievement of the race was his co-driver punting Mike Rockenfeller, I enjoyed seeing him out there. In fact, Dale Sr had an eye at LeMans himself, which was why he entered Daytona in 2001. Now would that have been fun?

So where have all the racers gone?

I understand that contracts control how much drivers can and cannot do, which after the fine print whittles the possibilities down to plastic darts. Can we please see a driver think, or drive, outside the gearbox? Ask Jimmie to run LeMans, or Seb to try the 500, or, anyone to try Sebring, and you will see their eyes widen with interest while their lawyers skim the fine print.

Aha! I’ve got it!

Take the lawyer out of racing, and put the driver back in! Then, a driver owning his series will need more to merit being called… Great!

Racing this Weekend

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:43:07 -0400

ALMS @ Lime Rock on Espn2 at noon- LMP1: Dyson is my favorite
GT-Pro: Rahal BMW M3

F1 @ Silverstone on Fox at 11 am- Vettel is the top dog and should win, unless Button or Hamilton take it on their home turf.

Grand-Am @ Laguna Seca on Speed at 3- DP: Ganassi (why not?) GT:Speedsource Rx8 or Turner BMW M3

Indy Car at Toronto on Versus at 1- KV Racing’s TK or Will Power (bc he’s the street king)

NASCAR Cup at KY on the Taint (TNT)- Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards (prior experience in Busch on this new-to-cup track)

2011 is Here

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:37:45 -0500

It is a new year, which means the racing season is just around the Stowe Corner. The goal for 2011 is simple: win a title, which will take excellent business relationship(s), deep passion, determination, precision and excellence. The next several days, the focus will be deciding where and what to race as well as gaining sponsorship for that effort. One goal can be assured, another attempt at the Formula Ford Festival/Walter Hayes Trophy at year’s end. Updates coming…

A Boy's Dream

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:53:03 -0400

My first detailed memory of racing was in 1996 when two drivers captured prestigious titles in their 30’s, considered over the hill in some categories. Jimmy Vasser, a Russell Formula Ford graduate, took the CART title and had a tremendous and respected career thereafter. Damon Hill, the son of legendary Graham Hill, took the World Driver’s crown. He is a British Formula Ford graduate as well! These two drivers, as well as Mario (who won his at 38) are my inspiration to keep focused and do all I absolutely can! Stay tuned, cos this is about to get real exciting!

Lukie

Perhaps a bit too focused on the action?

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:06:51 -0400

Perhaps a bit too focused on the action?

Going racing!!

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:31:03 -0400

Flying to Britain to race formula ford! Luke Hesketh Hesketh Racing USA